‘Flattered’ Mitch Langerak to stay in international retirement despite approach from Socceroos

Having already come out of international retirement only to be overlooked, one of Australia’s best goalkeepers has closed the door on a Socceroos return.

Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak will remain in international retirement. Picture: AP Photo/Denis Tyrin

Veteran goalkeeper Mitch Langerak has rejected the chance to come out of international retirement for a second time but was “flattered” to be approached by the new Socceroos coaching regime.

Recently appointed national team coach Tony Popovic will announce his first Socceroos squad on Friday ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against China (next Thursday, Adelaide Oval) and Japan (October 15, Saitama).

Langerak, 36, retired from international football in May 2021 before answering the call to make himself available for selection for a two-game series against New Zealand in September 2022.

However, he surprisingly didn’t play in either of the matches and was subsequently overlooked for selection in Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad.

Langerak then returned into international retirement and has continued to shine for his Japanese club Nagoya Grampus.

His form hasn’t gone unnoticed by Popovic, and contact was made with Langerak about his potential availability for the games against China and Japan.

Mitch Langerak has opted against coming out of international retirement for a second time. Picture: AAP/Image Steve Pohlner

However, it’s understood that while Langerak – who will return to the A-League in January to play for Melbourne Victory – was “flattered” to be approached, he rejected the offer to again represent Australia.

Of the three goalkeepers named in the Socceroos’ most recent squad, only Denmark-based Paul Izzo is playing regularly at club level.

Long-time first-choice national team keeper and Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan is yet to play for Italian club Roma after moving there in July, while Joe Gauci has made just one appearance for English outfit Aston Villa in a League Cup game.

Among the players expected to be recalled to the Socceroos squad by Popovic are Victory right-back Jason Geria, Norway-based Gianni Stensness, who can play as a central defender or as a holding midfielder, and fit-again trio Jordan Bos, Riley McGree and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.

Left-back Bos, midfielder McGree and striker Stamatelopoulos all missed Australia’s matches last month against Bahrain and Indonesia through injuries but have since returned for their respective club teams Westerlo (Belgium), Middlesbrough (England) and Motherwell (Scotland).

However, a certain absentee is defender Alessandro Circati, who will be sidelined for at least nine months after last week rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a training session with his Italian club Parma.

Also missing will be Scotland-based winger Martin Boyle, who recently underwent wrist surgery.